How a Cliff Diver Prepares for Competition

Jumping off of cliffs takes a lot of physical and mental work

By

Jen Murphy

July 1, 2013 6:31 p.m. ET

Cliff diver Steven LoBue has always been a thrill seeker. As a 7-year-old, he was the kid in swim class who would be doing back flips off of the high board, he says. "I've always loved the rush you get from jumping off of things," he says.

During college, Mr. LoBue, a three-time NCAA Division 1 All-American diver, would spend summers performing in water shows at amusement parks. "I'd dress up like a pirate and pretend to stumble off of a plank into a swimming pool," says the 28-year-old from Fort...